IYKYK - and YK better than I do! Family of 5 staying off property for the first time. Can you help me with suggestions?

[HopperFan]

Skyauction has not had great inventory lately. I can’t remember when they last had a WBC listing. And even the Sheraton Vistana listings are not what they used to be. It seems like they have SVR last minute check ins anymore and definitely not the amount of rentals they had before. It seems to coincide with the latest RCI and Disney resort thing, but I haven’t paid as much attention to it and don’t really understand it. But since RCI began to have DVC resorts, there’s been zero SVR listings on Skyauction. I emailed the company asking why, but they didn’t give an answer other than they are still booking SVR, and to check with them.

Did you stay at one of the Marriott Palms? We’ve stayed at the Sabal several times and really loved it there.

My second time at Sabal and I love them!!! I could live there. I’ve stayed at Imperial twice, last two summers. Unit great space wise and decor but no vibe. But the space more than makes up and we are park centric. Have not stayed Royal. LOVE the location.

Stayed Grand Vista a few times, not my favorite.

 

[mckennarose]

My second time at Sabal and I love them!!! I could live there. I’ve stayed at Imperial twice, last two summers. Unit great space wise and decor but no vibe. But the space more than makes up and we are park centric. Have not stayed Royal. LOVE the location.

Stayed Grand Vista a few times, not my bbb lol

We love it there too! I have not stayed at the other two Palms, or the Marriott World, but we've been to the big World pool area many times while staying at the Sabal.

My son-in-law grew up with his family owning DVC and some members working for Disney. He said he was dead-set on NEVER staying off property. One year he and my dd arrived a few days early before their DVC check in, and stayed with us at the Sabal Palms. It was the Sabal that left a great impression of off-site stays and completely changed his mind. Since then we brought him to the Sheraton Vistana, which he proceeded to book a few other times, and they're getting ready to stay at WBC for the first time. You honestly can't beat the amount of space you get, washer/dryer, full kitchen, etc. for the price.

 

[Treysar]

I agree with what others have said in having a car if you're staying offsite is the best way to go.
We stay in the area several times a year and always have a car. It just makes things so much easier.

I don't understand what you're implying here? That it's too dangerous to drive in Orlando? Or you won't have any fun on vacation if you have to drive in Orlando? We do it all the time, and our now-adult children have driven the area when they were teens.
Some people don't like to drive, get nervous driving or prefer not to drive on vacation, and that's fine. You can Uber or Lyft (we've also done both many times) or a Mears. But you CAN safely drive in the Orlando area. I would say it's pretty easy driving around Disney property. Up near Universal is more congested but still pretty much a straight shot from the Disney area up I4 to the Universal exit.

OP, just to add, Sheraton Vistana Resort is directly across I4 from Disney Springs, they have a huge resort with lots of amenities. We've stayed here many times. I would say its similar to Wyndham Bonnet Creek in size of the units, just more spread out.

I figured they meant walking around traffic with 2 autistic people, which could definitely be an issue!

 

[Lisa P.]

Glad you're planning to rent a car. It makes a huge difference in convenience and confidence when staying offsite, IMO. Timeshare resort condos often provide plenty of activities for your teens on resort days. Most also have resort-style pools, much nicer than most offsite hotel pools located close to WDW. Usually a 1BR timeshare unit only sleeps 4 people so I'd look for a 2BR unit that sleeps 6-8 people for your family. The inroom kitchens are great for saving money on breakfasts and resort day meals, especially if you have picky eaters or dietary restrictions. All of the timeshare resorts I recommend below also either offer an inroom washer-dryer or free use of one in your building, making it easier to pack light for travel.

If your trip will include any early April dates through April 15, there's a restriction against rentals at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek. So if you book a reservation that includes any of those dates, it will be subject to cancellation without notice. If your April stay will begin on or after April 16, 2023, then I'd highly recommend a 2BR unit at CWBC for your family (1BR only sleeps 4, 2BR sleeps 6-8, depending on whether you use the LR sleeper sofa). Several pools with lazy rivers, slides, games rooms, mini golf, shuffle board, ping pong, etc. Lots for your teens to do on resort days. Excellent location for short drives to the Disney parks - just exit the Bonnet Creek resort area, turn left on Buena Vista Blvd, and follow signs to each park. Returning, follow signs toward Disney Springs until you see the Bonnet Creek resort area or use your maps app.

If CWBC is not available or not in your price range or your trip dates are in the first half of April, there are a few other very nice timeshares in the areas very nearby, that offer plenty of activities for fun resort days with your 3 teens. Sheraton Vistana Resort (not SV Villages) is just beyond Hotel Plaza Blvd, about 2 miles from Disney Springs. Also in Lake Buena Vista, a similar distance away, Cypress Pointe / Cypress Pointe Grandvillas has simpler pools but a good number of sports and activities. In Kissimmee (west), less than 2 miles from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Silver Lake / Silver Lake - Points has a couple nice pools and excellent indoor activities. Lastly, in Kissimmee (east), about 5-6 miles from Disney's Hollywood Studios, Vacation Village at Parkway has multiple pools, rec rooms, and off-road walking paths. Again, look for a 2BR that sleeps 6-8, or even a 3BR, if the price is right. Any of these four resorts many appear on SkyAuction.com or other timeshare rental websites for a reasonable price. HTH!